The 'respected' gran caught red-handed in her kitchen

A respected grandmother became involved in her drug-addict son's crack cocaine and heroin supply operation from her home to help pay off his drugs debt, a court heard.

Jean Jennings, 55, a grandmother and a carer, was caught red-handed when police raided her family home in Openshaw on August 1, 2023. Moments after cops burst into the home to carry out a search, she immediately admitted her crimes and told officers: "The drugs? You don't have to bother mate. Kitchen drawer in there, the one nearest the window."

She had got involved in a drugs packaging and distribution operation - being run from her kitchen - to help pay off her drug-addicted son's debts, Manchester Crown Court was told.

When officers searched the drawer, inside it they found 50 wraps of diamorphine and another 50 wraps of crack cocaine, prosecutor Joshua Bowker told the court on Monday. Elsewhere in the kitchen officers found evidence of a drugs supply operation including a white ceramic bowl containing more diamorphine, scales, clingfilm, snap bags and a series of mobile phones.

Alongside drugs said to be worth £4,000, police also found on a table in the living room brown and white powder, more cling film and a Stanley knife, Mr Bowker told the court.

While cops were searching the driveway of the family home Jennings's son and partner in crime, Kyle Casey, 29, identified himself to officers and he was arrested. Mother and son were taken to a police station where they answered 'no comment' to all questions.

Analysis of messages found on Jennings' mobile phone showed she and Casey had 'equal standing and shared responsibility' for the drugs packaging op, said Mr Bowker. The pair discussed the 'arranging, preparation, packaging and sale of crack cocaine